Idyllwild Arts Academy (IAA) created its own podcast — “One World. One Idyllwild. The Series.” The podcast premiered March 30 and was aired on IAA’s YouTube channel.

This podcast series will spotlight artists from all backgrounds, showcasing how they have been shaped by the transformative power of art.

In the first episode, Idyllwild Arts Foundation President Pamela Jordan interviewed award-winning Australian-Vietnamese singer-songwriter Thanh Bui.

Bui spoke with Jordan about his choice to pursue his art career at a young age, leaving home and his parents.

“To be honest with you, I was just very fortunate to have the opportunities in Australia to have contact with music,” Bui said. “I wouldn’t say I had the support from mom and dad to become a musician, but at a young age, they supported me to do whatever I wanted to learn.”

Bui’s parents wanted him to become a doctor or a lawyer but Bui had other plans. He sat his parents down when he was 17 years old and said he wanted to become a musician. They told him if he wanted to do that, he could leave to pursue that dream. Not expecting that to actually happen, their plan backfired. With that, Bui left home and followed his heart to become a musician.

Jordan responded, “It speaks volumes to young people who really have that passion. So many of our students have the support of their parents, but they often leave friends and family at home that feel the same to go into something more secure.”

Since Bui followed his dream as a teenager, he placed eighth on Australian Idol in season 6. Facing criticism from professionals at such a young age taught him how to be vulnerable, and that as an artist, being vulnerable is what producing good art is all about.

As a worldwide successful musician, his songs have been heard everywhere. According to his Facebook page, Bui is formerly a member of the music group North. The group’s hit songs have sold throughout Asia and Australia. He has written songs for MTV’s “Real World” and for other well-known groups like Arashi, TVXQ and Kat-Tun. 

One of his most notable accomplishments is co-writing the first hit single on the first international album for the South Korean group BTS. The group recently gained popularity here in the states with their pop music. Bui was featured on the song’s remix release. He was also a judge on “The Voice of Vietnam” and was a judge for the TV show “Vietnam Idol.”

After all these successes, Bui has now turned to helping young artists support their dreams.

“In 2013, you founded Soul Music & Performing Arts Academy,” Jordan said. “In 2016, you founded Asian Music & Performing Arts Education and in 2017 you founded Embassy Education Group. Why have you turned your attention to arts education?”

“Artists are the speaker of truth,” Bui responded. “I believe that education is the key pillar for building the future for our young people. We have such incredible potential as a country. Our contribution on the world’s stage is through the mediums of arts.”

Supporting the young artists in learning their true potential is what Bui and IAA have in common. Just as Bui followed his heart as a teenager, he wants to make sure he can help future artists do the same.

To listen to the interview, find “One World. One Idyllwild. The Series” on any podcasting platform.